Utah to become the largest no-kill state in the country

Trevor Myers
·2 min read
2

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Gov. Spencer Cox declared on Tuesday that 2024 is No-Kill Shelter Year in Utah.

According to a press release from Best Friends Animal Society, this declaration means that Utah will become the first no-kill state in the west — and the largest no-kill state in the United States. 46 of the 58 shelters in Utah have already reached no-kill status, according to the press release.

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Individuals with several different shelters and adoption centers spoke at the Hall of Governors after Gov. Cox signed the declaration, including the CEO of Best Friends Animal Society Julie Castle, and leaders from Nuzzles & Co and the Cedar City Animal Adoption Center.

Best Friends Animal Society is a national organization that is working to end shelter deaths for cats and dogs by 2025.

“Community members, local shelters and rescue groups, and government officials must take Governor Cox’s words to heart as we all commit to 2024 as the year Utah goes no-kill,” Castle said.

Based on data from its website (which uses a blend of the most recently reported information from the past few years), Best Friends reports more than 45,500 cats and dogs were saved in Utah, for a save rate of nearly 88%.

“Forty years ago, Best Friends made Utah its home state with the Best Friends Animal Society Sanctuary in Kanab,” CEO Julie Castle said. “Now, in 2024, it just makes sense for no-kill to be on the horizon for the Beehive State.”

In Utah, Best Friends says it collaborates with the No-Kill Utah Coalition to work with shelters throughout the state and help them increase lifesaving programs, resources and services.

“Rather than simply working to obtain a no-kill designation, the goal is for every shelter to make a clear commitment to pet lifesaving and transparency while working to achieve and sustain no-kill in philosophy and practice,” Best Friends said in a press release.

Some of the ways Utahns can help save lives, according to Best Friends Animal Society, are to adopt from a shelter, spay or neuter their pets or foster animals. It is also recommended to volunteer and advocate for lifesaving programs, according to the organization.

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